Lula tries to convince Putin to take part in direct negotiations with Zelensky in Istanbul

247 – Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to reactivate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a technical stop in Moscow on his way back from an official visit to China.

According to information from Kommersant, Lula reiterated Brazil's commitment to promoting dialogue and encouraged Putin to personally attend the talks scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul.

The call came after Lula announced, in Beijing, the g of a t declaration with the Chinese government in of the immediate resumption of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. The Brazilian president stated he would do "everything possible" to contribute to the success of the meeting.

The Kremlin has yet to confirm whether Putin will attend the negotiations in Turkey. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that he would only participate in the talks if the Russian leader were present, directly challenging Putin to attend in person.

The peace proposal advanced by Brazil and China, which advocates resuming dialogue and de-escalating the conflict, had previously been rejected by Kyiv. Zelensky called the initiative “destructive” and accused its proponents of ignoring Ukrainian sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Western leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron warn of the risks of prolonging the war and a negotiated solution. Macron stated that "the war must end and Ukraine must be in the best possible position to enter negotiations."